{"id":39659,"date":"2025-12-25T13:16:25","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T18:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/concho-belts-gain-popularity-as-fashion-accessories\/"},"modified":"2025-12-25T13:16:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T18:16:27","slug":"concho-belts-gain-popularity-as-fashion-accessories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/concho-belts-gain-popularity-as-fashion-accessories\/","title":{"rendered":"Concho belts gain popularity as fashion accessories"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Artist<\/a><\/p>\n

Artist Warren Spang with his custom-made concho belts. (Photo by Marnie Cook)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

RAPID CITY \u2014 Warren Spang was among the many artists who traveled to the Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) in Rapid City, held December 16\u201320. Midway through crafting a custom-made belt, he paused to speak with Native Sun News Today. Spang made the journey from his homelands on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation to sell his concho belts.<\/p>\n

LNI began as a small basketball tournament. Since its start in 1976, it has grown into one of the largest basketball tournaments in the nation\u2014yet it\u2019s much more than that. It is a cultural celebration that blends athletics, academics, and art. It provides intergenerational connections, a place for Native youth to excel, and a space to show pride in their culture.<\/p>\n

Spang served as a homeschool coordinator for Lame Deer Public School District 6 for more than 20 years. After retiring about ten years ago, he became a full-time belt maker, creating custom-sized belts, dance belts, and concho belts.<\/p>\n

Traditionally worn with dance regalia, concho belts have also gained popularity as fashion accessories. \u201cI make a lot of belts to go with ribbon skirts,\u201d he said. \u201cEveryone wants one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the years, Spang has made dance regalia, cuffs, headroaches, side drops, ankle bells, and belts, and he has repaired horse tack. He used to make hand drums as well, but stepped back when a friend took up the craft. \u201cMy buddy does such a good job. So, we just trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

His belt designs are simple, intertribal motifs\u2014mountains, rivers, teepees, and dragonflies. Spang gives careful attention to the materials he uses, from leather to metal to dye. \u201cI use German silver,\u201d he said. German silver is a durable, tarnish-resistant alloy that contains no actual silver. He also takes great care when dyeing the leather. \u201cI put three coats of varnish on them, so they won\u2019t fade.\u201d They will eventually fade, he added, \u201cbut not for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many Native artists, Spang\u2019s work thrives in a specialty market. \u201cI have to be in Indian Country,\u201d he said. \u201cI have gone to the rodeos, but they just don\u2019t work for me.\u201d He plans to return for the Black Hills Powwow in October 2026. He offers custom sizing and takes orders.<\/p>\n

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com)<\/span><\/p>\n

The post Concho belts gain popularity as fashion accessories<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Artist Warren Spang with his custom-made concho belts. (Photo by Marnie Cook) RAPID CITY \u2014 Warren Spang was among the many artists who traveled to the Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) in Rapid City, held December 16\u201320. Midway through crafting a custom-made belt, he paused to speak with Native Sun News <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>
Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> December 25, 2025<\/p>\n

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